06 Mar 26
Last night was Div’s Bootlegger night ride, with 4 riders: Div, Simon, Warren and me. This has been a popular ride on the Audax SA calendar.
As usual we departed from O’Connell St, North Adelaide at 8.30pm we headed into the hills via Lower North East Rd, appreciating the full moon, which kept us company, like a watchful parent, all night. With temps of 14-16 throughout the night, we were blessed. Even in the wee hours short gloves were OK.
The route took us to Birdwood, where Div included a rather perplexing secret control at the local cemetery … was that Roger or Roy! Heading south via Mt Torrens and Woodside onto Nairn we started our 80km round trip to Murray Bridge and back. Arriving MB ~1.45am we had a 15min stop to refuel before recommencing, not wanting to get cold.
While you enjoy the downhills on the way to MB, it’s the return where you realise btw Kanmantoo and Dawesley, there’s a bit of climbing. Overall vm 2538 … not insignificant!
It was great to get back to Nairn and head to Littlehampton, as we knew Hahndorf wasn’t far. Up Germantown Hill to Bridgewater we then broached the final climbs on Mt Barker and Old Mt Barker Rds before reaching Crafers and the blissful downhill back to O’Connell St … pulling in at 6.15am.
Thanks Div, another great outing. It’s so surreal riding at night and once you get your head around it, you appreciate the uniqueness of it – a full moon, ideal weather, no traffic and knowing you’re doing something very few people have done.
Photos: starting lineup: Div, Warren, Simon and me; Simon at Birdwood cemetery and refuelling at MB.